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Near downtown Birmingham, the Hugh Kaul Trail stretches almost 2 miles along 1st Avenue South from 24th Street to 38th Street. Following a former railroad corridor, the paved rail-trail is an off-road pathway that is often lined with trees. At the corner of 32nd Street South, there is a bike tool station and a bench for those enjoying the trail to repair their bike or to take a break.
From 38th Street, the route continues east as an on-road bike lane—running along 2nd Alley South and 3rd Avenue South before ending in the heart of Avondale.
At its western end on 24th Street, the rail-trail connects with the Rotary Trail, which was built on an old railroad cut through the middle of 1st Avenue South. Together, the two trails link two terrific city attractions, the Railroad Park and the Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark.
The Hugh Kaul Trail is included in Birmingham's Jones Valley Trail network, which is part of the Red Rock Trail System, a developing 750-mile network of multiuse trails in Jefferson County. The Red Rock Trail System connects important destinations throughout the region such as Red Mountain Park, which—at 1,500 acres—is one of the largest urban parks in the country.
At the western end of the trail, there is street parking along 1st Avenue South between 24th Street and 35th Street. Midway along the trail, there is additional street parking on 28th Street South. Railroad Park (1600 1st Avenue South) is just a few blocks southwest of the trail and there is parking along the outer perimeter of the park. Refer to the TrailLink map for all options and detailed directions.
Birmingham's public transit system, BJCTA, provides convenient access to the trail. Visit the BJCTA website to plan your trip.
This is a cute little trail that runs along 1st Ave N. near Sloss Furnace. It's paved and very stroller/bike/skates/walking friendly. It leads right up to the Rotary Trail and right past that is Railroad Park. I like to start at the Jones Valley trailhead and walk all the way to Railroad Park for a few laps and then back. It's aroun 3 miles of you do that.
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